Sabarmati Express: When an engine strikes a “object on track” close to Kanpur, 22 carriages of the Sabarmati Express, headed for Ahmedabad, derrail.

Sabarmati Express: Early Saturday morning, the Sabarmati Express, running from Varanasi to Ahmedabad (train number 19168), derailed between the Kanpur and Bhimsen stations in Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred when the train’s engine collided with an unidentified object on the tracks.Thankfully, authorities have not received any reports of injuries.

The derailment involved 22 coaches of the Sabarmati Express. The Indian Railways responded quickly, sending buses to transport passengers to Kanpur, where alternative arrangements were made for them to continue their journey to Ahmedabad.

Kanpur’s Additional District Magistrate, Rakesh Verma, confirmed that despite the derailment of the 22 coaches, there were no reported injuries. The train’s loco pilot noted that a large boulder had struck the engine, causing significant damage to its front section.

As a result of this incident, seven trains were canceled, and three others were diverted. The derailment happened around 2:29 a.m., roughly 30 minutes after the Sabarmati Express departed from Kanpur Central station.

Earlier that night, the Patna-Indore train had crossed the same track without any issues at approximately 1:20 a.m.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the derailment might have been caused by a boulder hitting the engine’s cattle guard. A Railway Board official mentioned that the impact had severely damaged and bent the front portion of the engine.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the engine had struck an object deliberately placed on the track, leading to the derailment. He said that the engine had visible collision marks, and that the Uttar Pradesh police and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) were looking into the event.

The derailment led to significant disruptions in train services. Below is a list of affected trains:

Table of Contents

Cancellations

On August 17, 24 Train 01823/01824 (Varanasi Junction – Lucknow Junction)
On August 17, 24 Train 11109 (Varanasi Junction – Lakhimpur).
Train 14110/14109 (Kanpur – Chitrakootdham) on 17.08.24

Sabarmati Express: Short Terminations

On August 17, 24 Train 04143 (Kuregaon – Kanpur), with a short stop at Banda
On August 17, 24, Train 04144 (Kanpur – Kuregaon), short-originated from Banda

Diversions

Train 05326 (Lokmanya Tilak – Gorakhpur) on August 16, 24 was rerouted via Gwalior, Bina, Etawah, Kanpur, and Varanasi Junction.

The Artistry of Luxury Jewellery Design: Meaning, Career Opportunities, and Unveiling Uniqueness

On August 24, Kanpur – Meerut, Train 20180/20181 – Train 01814/01813 (Varanasi Junction – Kanpur) on August 17, 2023 – Train 01887/01888 On August 17, 24 (Gwalior – Etawah) – Train 01889/01890 (Bina – Gwalior) on August 17, 2017 – Train 11110 (Lakhimpur – Varanasi Junction) on August 16, 24; now in Gorakhpur; detoured by Train 22537 via Gorakhpur, Etawah, Bina, Gwalior, and Varanasi Junction. (Gorakhpur – Lokmanya Tilak) on August 16, 24; now in Kanpur; detoured via Train 20104 via Gorakhpur, Etawah, Bina, Gwalior, and Varanasi Junction (Gorakhpur-Lokmanya Tilak) on August 16, 24; detoured via Etawah-Kanpur-Bina-Gwalior-Varanasi Junction

Emergency Helpline Numbers

In response to the derailment, the Indian Railways has issued the following emergency helpline numbers for concerned stations:

Prayagraj: 0532-2408128, 0532-2407353
Kanpur: 0512-2323018, 0512-2323015
Mirzapur: 054422200097
Etawah: 7525001249
Tundla: 7392959702
Ahmedabad: 07922113977
Varanasi City: 8303994411
Gorakhpur: 0551-2208088

The investigation into the derailment is ongoing, with authorities focused on determining the cause and ensuring the safety of future rail operations.